Journal of Oral Research

Breaking through barriers: the potential of dental students in multicenter studies

Giancarlo Pares-Ballasco, Hilda Ramírez-Castellares — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Is it possible for dental students to carry out multicenter studies? Before the formation of the Sociedades Científicas de Estudiantes de Odontología (SCEO) and their integration into the Asociación Nacional Científica de Estudiantes de Odontología del Perú (ANACEOP), the viability of such a feat could be considered unlikely.¹....

Envisioning dentistry's future: highlighting self-care and hygiene amid the challenges of the WHO global oral health action plan

Cesar Rivera — Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The global burden of oral diseases, despite decades of advances in dentistry, has remained persistently high, with little change in incidence or prevalence over the past 30 years

Factors related to oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice among adolescent in Jember, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Aim: The study aimed to analyze the factors related to oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice among adolescents in Jember, Indonesia.
Material and Methods: The population of this study was junior secondary school students in Jember, Indonesia. Sampling was generated using cluster random sampling with a total of 398 students from eight different schools. A questionnaire on oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices was given to the students. Data on the family's socioeconomic characteristics were collected from the school database of parents. The correlation of socioeconomic status (gender, school, mother and father education, father and mother occupation, monthly income, number of children) and oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice were first analyzed statistically using the univariate Spearman test (p<0.05). Significant correlation variables from univariate analysis were then entered into a multi-regression model to find the strongest predictor of oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice (p<0.05).
Results: The age of adolescents in this study was 12-16. Multi regression analysis showed a significant relation between gender, ethnicity, school, and oral health knowledge. Females were more likely to have higher knowledge than males (p=0.003). Students from public schools were more likely to have a higher knowledge than students from private schools (p=0.000). Javanese adolescents have significantly higher knowledge than Maduranese (p=0.028) or other ethics (p=0.022). Mother education and gender were significantly associated with the attitude. Adolescents with higher mother education were more likely to have higher attitude scores (p=0.000). Females were significantly related to higher attitude scores (p=0.016).
Conclusions: This study highlights the need for an oral health promotion program among adolescents in Jember, Indonesia, that addresses socioeconomic backgrounds, predominantly male, students from private schools and uneducated mothers.
Keywords: Oral health; Adolescent health; Health knowledge, attitudes, practice; Social determinants of health; Health inequities; Gender inequity.

Health literacy, self-reported oral health, and oral health–related quality of life among adolescents in San Fabián, Chile, 2023

Osvaldo Aránguiz-Genel, Aldo Vera-Calzaretta, Carlos Araya-Vallespir — Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Health literacy, the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply relevant information, plays a key role in making informed decisions about health. Promoting health literacy from early childhood may help reduce disparities in oral health. This study aimed to examine the relationship between health literacy, perceived oral health, and oral health-related quality of life among adolescents in San Fabián, Chile.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted involving 122 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, selected through stratified sampling. Health literacy and oral health–related quality of life were assessed using the HLS-EU-Q16 and OHIP-14 questionnaires, respectively. Perceived oral health was measured using a single validated question. The strength of the relationships between variables was evaluated through correlation analysis.
Results: A total of 62.3% of adolescents showed inadequate and problematic levels of health literacy. Despite reporting good brushing habits, gaps were identified in flossing and regular dental visits. Health literacy was positively associated with perceived oral health and oral health-related quality of life.
Conclusions: This study highlighted the importance of improving health literacy among adolescents in a rural area. It is suggested that health promotion efforts and dental services be tailored to the health literacy levels of Chilean youth to enhance their oral health and overall quality of life.

Oral health information and access to dental care in peruvian children: a study of a national health survey database

Natalie Hadad-Arrascue, María Claudia Garcés-Elías — Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Certain diseases of the oral cavity are associated with adopting inadequate health behaviors, where oral health information plays an essential role in preventing these conditions.
Objectives: To analyze the association between access to dental care and oral health information in Peruvian children.
Material and Methods: This research employed a cross-sectional design utilizing data from the 2021 Demographic and Family Health Survey database. The study focused on records of children under 12 who provided information regarding their access to oral health information. Independent variables encompassed access to dental care, time since the last care, and the place of care, with additional inclusion of covariates. Descriptive evaluations of the variables were conducted, followed by bivariate and multivariate analyses using Poisson regression. The statistical significance was established at a 95% confidence level, with p-value <0.05.
Results: Access to oral health information was oral health was 44.66% (n=11262); on the other hand, access to dental care reached 55.77% (n=13007), 12.37% (n=1507) expressed that their care was within the last two years and the main place of care was the Peruvian Ministry of Health with 45.51% (n=7396). Natural region, area of residence, place of residence, altitude, wealth index, health insurance coverage, and age were associated with access to oral health information. Access to oral health information showed a significant association with access to dental care (aPR: 1.72; 95%CI:1.59-1.86; p<0.001).
Conclusions: Peruvian children's access to dental care services and the time elapsed since the last dental care are associated with receiving information on oral health. Receiving care at the Social Health Insurance system was negatively associated.

Comparison in the estimation of the age of majority according to the demirjian indices and the third molar of cameriere using cone beam tomography in a peruvian population

Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Objetive: To compare majority age estimation according to Demirjian's method and Cameriere's third molar maturity index using cone-beam computed tomography in patients who attended the Maxillofacial Diagnostic Institute during 2014-2018, Lima- Peru.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional and analytical analysis was performed evaluating 492 lower third molars corresponding to 38 and 48 teeth. Patients included were between 12 and 23 years-old and were of both sexes. Data obtained were analyzed with a double entry frequencies distribution table. Sensitivity, specificity tests, and plotting on a ROC curve were selected to assess the methods capacity to estimate the majority age.
Results: Sensitivity values for Demirjian's and Cameriere's indexes were 0.80 and 0.70. Specificity values were 0.87 and 0.93, respectively. The AUC for Demirjian's and Cameriere's indexes were 0.84 (0.79-0.88) and 0.81 (0.77-0.86) respectively and the Delong test p-value was > 0.05.
Conclusions: There was no difference on majority age estimation accuracy according to Demirjian's method and Cameriere's third molar maturity index using cone-beam computed tomography.

Optimizing correction of class ii malocclusion with miniplate-assisted en-masse maxillary arch distalization: A Case Report

Nikunj Maniyar, A.T. Prakash, H.C. Kiran Kumar — Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Objetive: In the management of Class II malocclusion, distalization of maxillary teeth has proven to be an effective and established method, offering an alternative to extraction-based treatment modalities. Traditional en-masse maxillary arch distalization approaches have evolved, giving way to more sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing methods that prioritize patient comfort. Temporary Skeletal Anchorage Devices (TSADs) have become instrumental in this paradigm shift, with miniplates emerging as a particularly advantageous choice.
Material and Methods: This case report outlines the successful treatment of a Class II malocclusion in an adult female patient, wherein bilateral miniplates were strategically employed for total maxillary arch distalization.
Results: The utilization of miniplates demonstrated superiority over other TSADs, showcasing enhanced stability, effectiveness, and predictability in achieving optimal treatment outcomes. In the pursuit of not only correcting the malocclusion but also preserving facial profiles, the described method proved to be adept at achieving functional and aesthetic goals.
Conclusions: This contemporary approach to orthodontic intervention underscores the continual refinement and advancement in orthodontic techniques, ultimately contributing to a more patient-centric and esthetically conscious field of practice.